Apple shares iPhone XR reviews ahead of Friday launch

As it did with the iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4 in September, Apple on Tuesday collected a sampling of favorable iPhone XR reviews in a press release crafted to generate interest in the handset ahead of its launch this week.

Apple in its announcement presents 13 glowing snippets from iPhone XR reviews conducted by a handful of tech websites, blogs and mainstream media outlets, each of which received early access to the device.

Overall consensus is largely positive, with many outlets praising the phone's price-performance ratio. Of note, reviewers gushed over iPhone XR's high quality camera — the same wide-angle shooter found in iPhone XS and XS Max — with advanced photo software, long-lasting battery, large 6.1-inch LCD screen and A12 Bionic processor.

"Even though the [iPhone] XR is Apple's mid-range iPhone, the feel is very much that of a piece of nicely crafted jewelry. It's weighty, with a gorgeous 7-layer color process laminating the back of the rear glass, giving it a depth and sparkle that's just unmatched in consumer electronics."

"We found the iPhone XR to be quite excellent, as well as all the smartphone most consumers will ever need. It has more processing power than any competitor, exceptional battery life, and a fantastic camera."

Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller amplified the release by sharing a few select quotes on Twitter.

Embargoed iPhone XR reviews went live earlier today. While not as sparkling as Apple suggests from its cherry-picked roster, reviews are have been generally positive with few caveats. Early testers touted Apple's ability to balance performance with relative affordability, especially in while marketing a pair of flagship smartphones in iPhone XS and XS Max.